ffEstimates of Humback, Right, Grey, Fin Blue and Minke whale population estimates (in wikipedia), multiplied by the max weight for the species, yeilds a global whale population of 17.1 M tones. Estimating feeding rate of 2% body weight per day (which is more a max) yeilds 120 tones of fish and plankton per year. Equal to the global commercial harvest of 1998.

There are considerable disagreements over whale population, and Wiwkipedia's estimate is just one among many. Arriving at a figure of whale populations itself is difficult.The big problem, however, is that humans and whales do not eat the same type of sealife in many instances. Krill and giant squid, to name two types of well known foods eaten by certain types of whales are not eaten by humans. Meaningful comparison doesn't seem possible.

I think the poster of the question already knows the answer and if you read between the lines i think this is more of a protest than a question. obviously human beings consume more seafood than the entire whale population. They also cosume much more variety as well. The poster of the question is doing the right thing by raising awareness and debate surrounding our impact on fishing stocks etc.

It's a very long step from whales to depleted fish stocks. They are both red trigger subjects, but with whales, what is being questioned is the morality of hunting them, for a wide number of reasons.Fishing depletion, is being questioned for its waste of natural resources, not morality. "Save the Cod" and "Save the Whales" are two different war cries.

This question is leading and vague.Whales will eat more seafood than the population of the earth could ever. However, if they are not comparing quantity, but mass, it would be a close run thing.Anonymous is right (all of them)

In fact you have it backwards. It is the human population that is depleted. Whales have learned to dive deep and stay there - especially when Japanese whaling vessels are nearby. The whales hold their breath until a GreenPeace boat comes along. Then they all surface and breathe. In fact there are more than 900 million whales off San Francico bay right now!

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